Quick answer: A RAKEZ trade license is the permit issued by the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone that lets you legally run a commercial, industrial, service or educational business from one of the UAE's most cost-competitive free zones. Licence-only packages start at roughly AED 6,500–8,500, while an all-in package including one investor visa runs around AED 12,000–14,500. Government fees are set by the authority and change without notice.
Key takeaways
- RAKEZ is a Ras Al Khaimah free zone popular with traders, manufacturers, consultants and warehouse-based businesses.
- A licence-only trade licence starts around AED 6,500–8,500; add one investor visa and budget AED 12,000–14,500 all-in.
- RAKEZ issues several licence categories — commercial, services, industrial, educational and more — so pick the one matching your real activity.
- It is cheaper than a Dubai free zone (IFZA or Meydan sit at AED 12,500+ licence-only) but still gives 100% foreign ownership and visa eligibility.
- The process runs through the RAKEZ portal and typically takes a few working days once documents are ready.
What is a RAKEZ trade license?
A RAKEZ trade license is the official permit, issued by the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), that authorises a company to carry out specific business activities inside the free zone. It is the document that makes your company legal — without it you cannot sign contracts, invoice clients, open a corporate bank account or apply for staff visas.
RAKEZ was formed by merging two older Ras Al Khaimah free zones and today hosts tens of thousands of companies across more than fifty countries. For founders, its appeal is straightforward: 100% foreign ownership, no personal income tax, a wide activity list, and licence costs noticeably lower than Dubai's free zones. If your work is trading, light industry, consultancy or warehousing, RAKEZ is one of the strongest-value options in the country.
If you want the broader picture of how RAKEZ fits against other free zones, see our free zone company formation page, and if you're torn between zones, our mainland vs free zone guide breaks down the trade-offs.
What activities can a RAKEZ trade license cover?
A RAKEZ licence is grouped into categories, and you choose the one that matches what you actually do — not the cheapest one. Picking the wrong category is the single most common mistake founders make, and it causes problems later at visa and bank-account stage.
RAKEZ issues these main licence types:
- Commercial licence — trading, import/export, distribution and general trading of goods.
- Services / professional licence — consultants, agencies, IT, marketing and other service providers.
- Industrial licence — manufacturing, assembly, packaging and processing (RAKEZ is one of the few UAE zones with serious industrial land and warehousing).
- Educational licence — training institutes, consultancies and education providers.
- E-commerce licence — online selling and digital storefronts.
- General trading licence — multiple unrelated product lines under one licence.
- Freelance permit — individual professionals working under their own name.
Each licence lets you select activities from the approved RAKEZ activity list. Some activities require external approvals (for example certain industrial, food or educational activities), which can add time and cost. If your activity needs a special approval, we'll flag it before you pay — this is part of our trade licence service.
How much does a RAKEZ trade license cost in 2026?
A RAKEZ trade licence costs roughly AED 6,500–8,500 for the licence only (no visa), and AED 12,000–14,500 all-in with one investor visa. The exact figure depends on your licence type, the number of activities, your facility (flexi-desk, office or warehouse) and visa count.
Here's how RAKEZ compares with other common routes, so the number has context:
| Route | 2026 AED | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| RAKEZ — licence only, no visa | 6,500 – 8,500 | Trade licence, no visa allocation |
| RAKEZ — licence + 1 investor visa (all-in) | 12,000 – 14,500 | Licence, establishment card, visa, medical, Emirates ID, basic insurance |
| Northern Emirates free zone (general band) | 5,500 – 9,000 | Entry-level, no visa |
| IFZA / Meydan (Dubai free zones) | 12,500 – 20,000 | Dubai address, licence-only is already ~double RAKEZ |
| Dubai mainland (DET) | 15,000 – 25,000+ | With office and one visa |
Why "all-in" is the number to trust. A licence-only price looks attractive on a banner, but it omits the costs you'll pay the moment you want to live or hire in the UAE: the establishment card, the visa itself, the medical test, the Emirates ID and insurance. The all-in figure of AED 12,000–14,500 is what actually gets you a working company and a residence visa. For a line-by-line view, use our cost calculator or read our detailed RAKEZ licence cost breakdown.
One more honest note: government and authority fees are set by RAKEZ and the federal immigration system, and they can change without notice. A professional service fee from a consultancy sits on top of those government costs — at DBM we always state the two separately so you can see exactly what you're paying for.
RAKEZ package tiers — how to read them
RAKEZ sells packages built around activity count, visa allocation and facility type, and the price climbs as each of those goes up. Understanding the three levers lets you right-size the package instead of overpaying.
- Activities — a package usually bundles a set number of activities; adding more, or mixing categories, raises the fee.
- Visa quota — "zero visa" is cheapest; each visa quota slot adds cost, and you need at least one facility that supports visas (a flexi-desk supports a limited number).
- Facility — options range from a shared flexi-desk (cheapest, suits consultants and online businesses) up to a private office, warehouse or industrial land (needed for staff, stock or manufacturing).
A consultant with no staff can run on a flexi-desk and a zero- or one-visa package. A trader importing stock will need a warehouse, which changes the economics entirely. Tell us the real plan and we'll quote the tier that fits — not the one with the biggest margin.
How do you apply for a RAKEZ trade license? (step by step)
Applying for a RAKEZ trade license is a defined process that runs mostly through the RAKEZ online portal and usually completes within a few working days once your documents are in order.
- Choose your licence type and activities. Confirm the category (commercial, service, industrial, etc.) and the specific activities you want on the licence.
- Reserve your company name. Submit three preferred trade names for approval against RAKEZ naming rules.
- Select your package and facility. Pick activity count, visa quota and facility type (flexi-desk, office or warehouse).
- Submit documents and get initial approval. Upload passport copies, the application form and any activity-specific approvals.
- Pay the fees and receive your licence. Once payment clears and approvals are in, RAKEZ issues the trade licence and company documents.
- Apply for the establishment card and visas. With the licence active, you process the establishment card, then investor or employee visas, medicals and Emirates IDs — our visa services team handles this stage end to end.
- Open a corporate bank account. With your licence and documents, you can approach UAE banks — a step where a specialist introduction genuinely speeds things up.
Documents checklist
Keep these ready before you start — having them prepared is what turns a multi-week application into a few days:
- Passport copy for each shareholder and manager (valid 6+ months)
- Passport-size photograph for each applicant
- Proof of address / recent utility bill (varies by nationality)
- Completed RAKEZ application form
- Three proposed company names
- Any activity-specific external approval (industrial, food, educational, etc.)
- For a visa: entry permit details and medical test (processed after licence issuance)
Who should choose RAKEZ — and who shouldn't?
RAKEZ is the right call if you want low cost, 100% ownership, and either a warehouse/industrial facility or a simple consultancy or trading set-up. It's less ideal if your business genuinely needs a Dubai city-centre address for client perception.
Choose RAKEZ if you are a trader, manufacturer, consultant, freelancer or e-commerce seller who values budget and visa eligibility over a Dubai postcode. Consider a Dubai free zone like IFZA or Meydan instead if your clients expect a Dubai address and you're comfortable paying roughly double at the licence stage. And if your customers are mostly inside the UAE and you need to sell directly to the local market without a distributor, a Dubai mainland licence may suit you better despite the higher cost.
FAQ
How much does a RAKEZ trade license cost in 2026?
A RAKEZ trade license costs approximately AED 6,500–8,500 for the licence only and AED 12,000–14,500 all-in with one investor visa, which includes the establishment card, medical, Emirates ID and basic insurance. The final figure depends on your licence type, number of activities, facility and visa count. Authority fees can change without notice.
Is RAKEZ cheaper than a Dubai free zone?
Yes. RAKEZ licence-only packages start around AED 6,500–8,500, whereas Dubai free zones such as IFZA and Meydan start at roughly AED 12,500–15,000 for the licence alone. RAKEZ gives you the same 100% foreign ownership and visa eligibility; the main thing you trade away is a Dubai-proper business address.
What activities can I run under a RAKEZ trade license?
RAKEZ covers commercial (trading and import/export), services and professional, industrial (manufacturing and warehousing), educational, e-commerce, general trading and freelance activities. You select specific activities from the approved RAKEZ list within your chosen licence category. Some activities — industrial, food or educational ones in particular — need external approvals that add time and cost.
How long does it take to get a RAKEZ trade license?
Once your documents are complete and name reservation is approved, a RAKEZ trade license is typically issued within a few working days. Visa processing — establishment card, entry permit, medical and Emirates ID — takes additional time afterwards, usually one to three weeks depending on status change and medical scheduling.
Can I get a UAE residence visa with a RAKEZ trade license?
Yes. A RAKEZ trade license with a visa quota lets you apply for an investor or partner residence visa, plus visas for employees up to your facility's allocation. The all-in package of around AED 12,000–14,500 already includes one investor visa, the establishment card, medical test, Emirates ID and basic medical insurance.
Do I need a physical office for a RAKEZ trade license?
Not necessarily — many RAKEZ businesses operate on a shared flexi-desk, which is enough for consultants, freelancers and online sellers and supports a limited visa quota. You'll need a private office, warehouse or industrial unit only if your activity requires staff, stock or manufacturing space. The facility you choose is a major driver of your total cost.
Ready to set up in RAKEZ? DBM has formed 1,000+ companies across the UAE and holds a 4.9-star Google rating from 126 reviews. We'll quote your RAKEZ trade licence with government fees and our service fee stated separately — no bait pricing. Book a free consultation via our contact page or message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 504 6228 and we'll map the right package to your real business plan.